Redknapp urges Pep to sign Saints defender

Since joining the Saints from Glasgow Celtic at the start of last season, the 25-year-old has forged a reputation as a classy centre-back that is both comfortable on the ball and also capable of being a threat at set-piece situations.

His defensive positioning and tactical awareness for Claude Puel's side has been lauded by English media and, after another impressive display in their 0-0 draw with Liverpool over the weekend, Redknapp feels he is the right man to partner John Stones.

"If there is one player Manchester City have to go out and buy it's Virgil van Dijk," he told the Daily Mail.

"City have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 Premier League games but Van Dijk showed his quality again for Southampton against Liverpool – keeping quiet one of the most exciting forward lines in Europe.

"As much as I like Vincent Kompany, City cannot keep waiting for him to get back to his best."

"Van Dijk is a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola's team and I can see him forming a really good partnership with John Stones."